Pickling Minnows

[Bob/Mn]

I need some suggestions on pickling or preserving minnows for bait.

Thank you.

[finspat]

When I go to Manitoba

I salt my minnows, take canning salt.

put about an 1/8th inch on the bottom.

then lay minnows on top then another layer of salt.

do this til the can is about full.

Cans? I use coffee cans with the lids!

This methods works great for fishing where no live bait

is allowed!

Minnows look kinda dried up but the fish didnt seem to mind!

Good luck!

[Weed Shark]

I was told to use a 50/50 mix of canning salt and sugar. Just using canning salt, as stated above, might be better. They're very sticky with the sugar. You can find both sugar and salt at your supermarket in similar sized packs. I used mine in Ontario. I froze smaller portions in zip-lock bags. They work great.

[Northlander]

50/50 Borax and Canning Salt worked good for me with my smelt this spring.

[Bob/Mn]

Thanks a lot for the pickling info.

I understand what the canning salt does.

What is the function Borax and sugar??

[Northlander]

Borax also helps dry it outa bit but helps keep them so they arent so brittle. At least that was the only difference I found between them and the salted only ones. Oh and I guess it helps retain some color as well. We use borax for our spawn bags and it works great. It just keeps them from getting sticky and gooey.

As far as sugar it wouldnt do anything but add sweetness and make them sticky, as far as I know anyhow. I wouldnt use sugar myself. I dont want that sticky mess in my boat or all over my hands.

[Shack]

I used to fish with a guy years ago who introduced me to useing smelt as bait. He would pickle his smelt in, I think brine. I could be wrong, but I think this is correct.

Borax is the next wonder cure all of the world. Now I have heard every thing!

[Bob/Mn]

Quote:

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50/50 Borax and Canning Salt worked good for me with my smelt this spring.

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Is this Borax the age old 20 Mule Team natural laundry booster?

[Shack]

Yes, I would believe so

GL on 1500 am had a segment on the stuff last week. I think they listed about 50 plus ways to use the stuff. From ant/weed killer to polishing crome.

Cool stuff!